Depth of the new suez canal
The New Suez Canal, which was opened in 2015, has a maximum depth of 24 meters (78.7 feet) at its deepest point. The canal's depth was increased to accommodate larger and heavier ships, including Neopanamax vessels, which are up to 20% larger than the previous maximum size allowed.
The New Suez Canal has three main sections:
- The northern section, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Suez Canal, has a depth of 18 meters (59 feet).
- The central section, which is the main part of the canal, has a depth of 24 meters (78.7 feet).
- The southern section, which connects the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, has a depth of 18 meters (59 feet).
The increased depth of the New Suez Canal allows it to accommodate ships with a maximum draft of 20 meters (65.6 feet), which is a significant increase from the previous maximum draft of 16 meters (52.5 feet). This increase in depth and size allows the canal to handle larger and heavier ships, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, oil tankers, and container ships.
Here are some key statistics about the depth of the New Suez Canal:
- Maximum depth: 24 meters (78.7 feet)
- Minimum depth: 18 meters (59 feet)
- Average depth: 20 meters (65.6 feet)
- Maximum draft: 20 meters (65.6 feet)
- Water level: 18.5 meters (60.7 feet) above sea level
Overall, the increased depth of the New Suez Canal has made it a more attractive and efficient route for international shipping, and has helped to reduce congestion and waiting times in the canal.